Spanish school of the 18th century. "Saint Barbara". Oil... Lot 9

Spanish school of the 18th century. "Saint Barbara". Oil on panel in oval format with incorporated frame. Upper and lower carving of the frame from the 18th century. It presents some faults in the frame and in the upper and lower carvings. Measurements: 39 x 47 cm (painting); 94 x 70 cm (frame). The tower is sufficient to identify the present painting as Saint Barbara. Depicted with her hair uncovered, unveiled, as befits her virgin status, the saint wears a long blue tunic, tight around her waist. She combines her attire with a voluminous red cloak. She holds in her hand the sword with which her father took her life, a symbol of unshakeable faith, the palm that identifies her as a martyr and the book. In the background, next to the tower, a lightning bolt is depicted, a motif that identifies her as the patron saint of the artillery. Compiled late in the 10th century and popularised in the West in the 13th century by the Golden Legend, the legend of Saint Barbara tells that she was the daughter of the satrap Dióscuro who, in order to keep her from Christian proselytising, locked her in an open tower with only two windows, piercing a third one herself in allusion to the Holy Trinity. However, Barbara was taught by a priest posing as a doctor, and to express her faith in the Trinity she pierced a third window in the wall. She managed to flee but was captured by her father, and when she refused to abjure Christianity and marry a pagan she was handed over to the judge Marcian, who tortured her in various ways. She was stretched on a rack and flogged, torn with iron combs, rolled on pottery shards and burned with red-hot irons, and finally the executioners tore out her breasts with pincers. Finally, her father beheaded her. Saint Barbara's patron saints are widespread; she was considered to be a protector against lightning because her father, after killing her, was struck by lightning. Her name was also often inscribed on church bells, which were rung during storms. Her attributes are the palm of martyrdom and the crown, due to her royal origin, and the tower with three windows. It can also be accompanied by a peacock feather, a chalice topped with a host, a cannon or a cannonball, given that it became the patron saint of artillerymen in the 15th century for its protection against lightning and bad death.